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Whether treating a toddler in an emergency or supporting a teen through chemotherapy treatments, we are dedicated to the care of each patient. It’s through teamwork at every level of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and with you, the family, that we are able to achieve excellence in pediatric care.

To make kids better today and healthier tomorrow

With a proven track record of providing world-class care to patients in more than 30 pediatric specialties, we are a model for other pediatric hospitals. Infants, teens and young adults belong in a children’s hospital where they can get specialized treatment from caregivers who know the important differences between children and adults.

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Seeking answers to challenging medical conditions

Research is a cornerstone of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta mission to enhance the lives of children. In conjunction with Emory University School of Medicine, Georgia Tech and Morehouse, Children’s seeks answers to the most challenging childhood medical conditions through teaching and research.

Getting Kids on a Healthy Track—Simplified

We all want happy, healthy kids. But as a busy parent, helping your kids eat well and stay active can be a challenge.

At Strong4Life, created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, our doctors, nutritionists and wellness experts create fun, easy ways to help your kids eat, move and live healthier. From picky eaters to passionate gamers, we have a slew of simple tips by experts who understand, because we’re parents, too.

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Searching for a specialist

Christina and Chris Ewing knew early on that something was wrong with their daughter, Abby. Smaller than other children her age, Abby began to have trouble crawling and trying to walk around ages 18 to 20 months. By the time her daughter was 3 years old, Christina, who lives in Evans, Ga., had to remove her from ballet and gymnastics because she could not keep up with other children.

“She always kind of walked with a waddle,” Christina said. “Our pediatrician kept assuring us that everything was fine.”

On a trip to the zoo, a then 6-year-old Abby began to stop walking and squat. Looking for answers, Christina took her daughter to a new pediatrician, who, with a physical exam, finally provided an explanation: hip dysplasia.

“I knew nothing about hip dysplasia, so I was terrified,” she said. “Being a nurse, I started doing tons of research.”

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip socket may be too shallow to hold the ball of the thigh bone. This causes the ball to slip in and out of the socket, which can lead to hip pain and difficulty walking. About one in 1,000 babies are born with the condition. In Abby’s case, the ball remained out of the socket.

Following the diagnosis, Abby saw two pediatric orthopaedic surgeons who told Christina her daughter was too old for surgery and nothing could be done. As Abby grew, her condition worsened. She began to have issues with headaches and fatigue, and one day fell in the shower.

Once again, Christina took Abby to a specialist.

“He said to invest in a wheelchair,” Christina said. “I just wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Christina began searching for a specialist who could offer some sort of treatment for Abby. Her search led her to a New York surgeon. This doctor referred her to another surgeon in Boston, who sent Abby to Tim Schrader, M.D., Medical Director of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Hip Program.

Dr. Schrader finally gave Christina and Chris the hope they had been seeking for years.

“He was the first one who even suggested it could be repaired,” Christina said. “It was a relief to finally find someone who would listen. He said he would help her, but we had to do it right away.”

Dr. Schrader suggested surgery in both hips to correct the dysplasia, which would require several months of recovery and follow-up treatment. Because this type of surgery is most effective in younger children, there was no guarantee it would work.

“Abby was older than the typical candidate for this type of surgery, but I felt she could still benefit,” Dr. Schrader said. “While there were no guarantees, there was a real chance to greatly improve her quality of life.”

Christina and Chris agonized over the decision, but ultimately felt surgery was best for their daughter.

“We didn’t want to see her in a wheelchair if there was a chance she could walk,” Christina said.

Abby had surgery to correct her right hip in September 2009 and had her left hip operation in December. Each operation required Abby to spend months in a special cast followed by physical therapy. Christina home-schooled Abby so she could recover without the stress of attending school.

“She was determined to walk again,” Christina said. “She would do everything the therapists asked her to do. She really wanted to get back to school.”

Now 9 years old, she has returned to school, and is walking and taking aquatic therapy to improve her flexibility and muscle tone.